Key takeaways
- 31 of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and the District of Columbia) set a minimum wage above the federal $7.25 an hour; in the other 20, the federal rate is the one most employers pay.
- The District of Columbia has the highest rate, $18.40 an hour; among states, Washington is highest at $17.13.
- Many states adjust their rate every year, usually on January 1 and in a few cases on July 1, so payroll settings need a yearly check.
- Cities and counties can set higher local rates than their state. Check the address where each employee works.
Minimum wage in every state
The minimum wage each state and the District of Columbia set, and the federal rate that applies where a state sets none or a lower one.
Federal minimum wage: $7.25/hrRules as of Oct 8, 2026
| State | Minimum wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | No state minimum wage law. |
| Alaska | $14/hr | |
| Arizona | $15.15/hr | Flagstaff and Tucson set higher local rates. |
| Arkansas | $11/hr | Applies to employers with 4 or more employees. |
| California | $16.90/hr | Higher rates apply to fast food and some health care workers, and in many cities. |
| Colorado | $15.16/hr | Denver and other cities set higher local rates. |
| Connecticut | $16.94/hr | Adjusted each January 1 to the employment cost index. |
| Delaware | $15/hr | |
| District of Columbia | $18.40/hr | Applies to all employers; adjusted each July 1. |
| Florida | $15/hr | |
| Georgia | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate is $5.15; the federal $7.25 applies to employers covered by federal law. |
| Hawaii | $16/hr | |
| Idaho | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate. |
| Illinois | $15/hr | Employers with 4 or more employees. Chicago and Cook County set higher local rates. |
| Indiana | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate; applies to employers with 2 or more employees. |
| Iowa | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate. |
| Kansas | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State law excludes employment covered by federal law. |
| Kentucky | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State law adopts the federal rate when it is higher. |
| Louisiana | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | No state minimum wage law. |
| Maine | $15.10/hr | Portland and Rockland set higher local rates. |
| Maryland | $15/hr | Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties set higher rates. |
| Massachusetts | $15/hr | Agricultural workers: $8.00. |
| Michigan | $13.73/hr | Applies to employers with 2 or more employees. |
| Minnesota | $11.41/hr | One rate for all employer sizes. Minneapolis and St. Paul set higher local rates. |
| Mississippi | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | No state minimum wage law. |
| Missouri | $15/hr | Retail and service businesses with annual gross sales under $500,000 are exempt. |
| Montana | $10.85/hr | Businesses not covered by federal law with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less may pay $4.00. No tip credit. |
| Nebraska | $15/hr | Employers with 4 or more employees. |
| Nevada | $12/hr | One rate regardless of health benefits. |
| New Hampshire | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State law ties the rate to the federal minimum. |
| New Jersey | $15.92/hr | Seasonal and small employers (fewer than 6 employees): $15.23. |
| New Mexico | $12/hr | Some cities and counties set higher rates. |
| New York | $16/hr | Rest of the state shown; New York City, Long Island and Westchester: $17.00. |
| North Carolina | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate. |
| North Dakota | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate. |
| Ohio | $11/hr | Employers with gross receipts over $405,000; smaller employers pay $7.25. |
| Oklahoma | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State law adopts the federal rate. |
| Oregon | $15.55/hr | Standard rate shown; Portland metro $16.80, non-urban counties $14.55. Adjusted each July 1. |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate. |
| Rhode Island | $16/hr | |
| South Carolina | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | No state minimum wage law. |
| South Dakota | $11.85/hr | Adjusted each January 1 for inflation. |
| Tennessee | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | No state minimum wage law. |
| Texas | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State law adopts the federal rate. |
| Utah | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate. |
| Vermont | $14.42/hr | Employers with 2 or more employees; adjusted each January 1. |
| Virginia | $12.77/hr | Scheduled to reach $15.00 on January 1, 2028. |
| Washington | $17.13/hr | No tip credit. Seattle and other cities set higher local rates. |
| West Virginia | $8.75/hr | Applies with 6 or more non-exempt employees at one location. |
| Wisconsin | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate equals the federal rate. |
| Wyoming | $7.25/hr (federal) (same as the federal rule) | State rate is $5.15; most workers are owed the federal $7.25. |
Each rate was checked against the state's labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor on the date shown. Local minimum wages set by cities and counties are not listed.
How state and federal minimum wages work together
The federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act is $7.25 an hour. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that some state laws give employees greater protections and that employers must comply with both. In practice, an employer covered by both laws pays whichever rate is higher, so the state rate in the table above is the floor wherever it exceeds $7.25.
A few states set a rate below the federal one or have no minimum wage law at all. There, employers covered by federal law pay $7.25; the lower state rate matters only for the small number of employers outside federal coverage.
What to check before you run payroll
- Where the employee works. City and county rates apply in addition to state rates; for remote employees, confirm with the state's labor department which location's rate applies.
- Your employer size and type. Several states set different rates by headcount, annual sales or industry, as the notes in the table show.
- Tipped employees. States set their own cash wage for tipped workers; some, such as Washington and Montana, allow no tip credit at all.
- The next scheduled change. Annual adjustments take effect on a fixed date. Update rates before the first pay period that includes it.
How software keeps pay compliant
Payroll software applies the rate for each work location on every pay run and flags hourly rates that fall below the minimum, while time and attendance software records the hours those rates apply to. Both matter most for employers with staff in several states.
Frequently asked questions
Which minimum wage applies, state or federal?
Employers must comply with both laws, so an employee covered by both is paid the higher rate. Where a state sets no minimum wage or a lower one, employers covered by federal law pay the federal $7.25 an hour.
Do cities have their own minimum wage?
Some do. Several cities and counties, for example in California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington, set rates above their state's. The table shows statewide rates; check the local rate where each employee works.
How often do state minimum wages change?
Many states adjust their rate every year for inflation or on a schedule set by law, most often on January 1 and in a few states on July 1. The table shows the rate in effect on the date we checked it and the next scheduled rate where the state has published it.
Software that applies these rules
- Payroll Software
Applies the right rate for each work location on every pay run.
- Time & Attendance Software
Records the hours each rate applies to, including overtime.